These critical Astros positions, performances can keep fortune in Houston's favor
STONE COLD 'STROS
25 June 2024
We're thinking they're back! Composite Getty Image.
Coming off an impressive three-game sweep of the Orioles, the Astros finally look like they've turned a corner as they are only two games under .500 with the lowly Rockies coming to town for a two game set this week.
Houston's offense appears to be firing on all cylinders, and the insertion of Mauricio Dubon and Joey Loperfido in the everyday lineup seems to be paying huge dividends
Dubon has now started in fourteen straight games, and Loperfido has been in the lineup in every game since rejoining the team. Manager Joe Espada has done a nice job of riding the hot hand, and knowing when to give players a day off. Both Dubon and Lopefido should be penciled in the lineup regularly, at least until Kyle Tucker returns from injury.
Jeremy Pena is a perfect example of Espada seeing a player struggling and giving him a day off to help get him back on track. The results speak for themselves, as Pena was crushing baseballs over the weekend instead of swinging at sliders in the dirt.
And let's not forget to credit the pitching. Hunter Brown looks like a dominate top of the rotation starter, Ronel Blanco should be an All-Star, and Framber Valdez may have had his best performance of the season on Sunday.
It will be interesting to see how they navigate the starting rotation with only four healthy starters currently on the team. Justin Verlander reportedly still hasn't resumed baseball activities.
Shawn Dubin could also be an option should they need him to make a start. Hopefully, Luis Garcia will be ready to go in late July because the Astros have several pitchers that will be asked to throw more innings than ever before.
Addition by subtraction
It's hard not to notice how well the team has played with Jose Abreu out of the picture. The club is 7-2 since they parted ways with Abreu, and the squad has a much younger and more athletic feel with Loperfido and Dubon consistently playing.
While we certainly can't blame all the team's struggles on Abreu, they appear to be playing with a different energy now. Look no further than Loperfido's amazing catch in the first inning of the opener against Baltimore. That play ended up setting the tone for the entire series.
What should we expect from the red-hot 'Stros moving forward? Be sure to watch the video above to hear the full conversation!
Catch our weekly Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast. Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo discuss varied Astros topics. The first post for the week generally goes up Monday afternoon (second part released Tuesday) via The SportsMap HOU YouTube channel or listen to episodes in their entirety at Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
The return of Carlos Correa was supposed to energize the Houston Astros, but their weekend trip to Fenway Park told a different story.
Despite getting Correa back into the lineup alongside Jeremy Peña, the Astros offense sputtered through a sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox. Houston scored just one run in two of the three games, continuing a troubling trend of inconsistency. Five of their last eight series have ended in a sweep — some in their favor, others not — underscoring the volatility that has defined much of their season.
One of the bigger culprits? A swing-first mentality that isn't paying off.
Since Isaac Paredes went down, manager Joe Espada’s lineup has reverted to its more aggressive roots. Jose Altuve, who recently notched a four-hit game, credited that performance to getting better pitches. But that approach has come with diminishing returns. Altuve and others are swinging early and often, but with little to show for it lately, a strategy that’s only exacerbating Houston’s offensive inconsistency.
If the bats aren’t going to carry them, pitching needs to step up and soon.
Astros x-factors
There’s some good news on that front. Spencer Arrighetti is slated to return during the Marlins series, likely in Game 2 or 3.
Spencer Arrighetti will pitch one of these two games, Joe Espada confirmed. TBD on which one. https://t.co/0uhkseIwdG
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 3, 2025
Cristian Javier is expected to need one more rehab outing before he’s ready to rejoin the rotation. Their returns couldn’t come at a better time.
With the offense struggling (Houston ranks 20th in runs scored over the last week and 29th in slugging since July 7) the Astros simply can't afford to keep patching together starts with depleted depth. Brandon Walter is dealing with an elbow issue, Lance McCullers Jr. remains sidelined with blisters, and Colton Gordon has faltered in recent outings.
Houston has done its best to tread water, but it’s clear that the current rotation mix isn’t sustainable. The Astros need Arrighetti and Javier to not just return, they need them to perform like legitimate big-league starters. Otherwise, a team built for another postseason run may find itself struggling just to stay afloat.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode on Thursday!
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